I threw myself Right into the deep end. My first Jam session was with Steve Marriot of Small faces and Humble Pie fame. He taught me all about timing and the basics of harp playing. He’d done this over a few months he’d go away come back around the circuit to the club worked asked how I was getting on he’d find not only had I learned what he’d taught me I’d elaborate on it. Until one day I was working while he was on stage and he called me up to play, that was his way of telling me “your ready” I got my first applause that night the whole room erupted. I recall having a huge smile on my face. Every time I play now I dedicate a number to Steve.
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@PapaCurly @cloves-fibs0f @Andy2 @Michaelgb93 @chris3 PapaCurly’s story could well open a route to building the playing in front of people confidence at any level. Busking is defined as a performance of music, dance, street theatre or art in a public space. The key word is ‘PERFORMANCE’ [an act of presenting a play, concert, or other form of entertainment] If you’re not performing you can’t be busking. In the UK busking is regulated by each council or town and will have different rules. some/most require a permit and some even require an audition before a permit is issued. Key to playing in a public space within the UK is to make it obvious you’re not performing so play quietly, don’t have anything that might encourage donations and to avoid any confusion if offered money, possibly by a council or town agent provocateur just say ‘ I’m just playing for myself not busking’. You may still be told not to play in a public space by some officious jobsworth but don’t argue just say OK, it will always be your word against an officials. For the avoidance of doubt this is not legal advice [I have to put that at the end]. Don’t be put off just be prepared. Jay1
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Thanks for the reply @Jay1. I was pretty sure that what I have been doing is not busking, but you got me thinking that my local council’s view on the matter might not comport with mine. Turns out that their definition of busking does include a request for donations, so I’m safe there. However, for those who are busking, there’s some pretty strict rules; permits, designated areas, volumes, permitted times of day and duration of performance, and for performances likely to attract large crowds, an audition as you said. Hitherto, I don’t think I’ve breached any rules, and the rangers here are pretty friendly and easy going. Nevertheless, it’s made me aware that I need to remain mindful about where I position myself. I should probably stay away from Japanese tourists, as it seems they’re apt to collect video evidence of any transgressions.
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Thank you, Mike, I think that’s a really good idea. And thank you to everyone else in this thread as well, super helpful.
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Hopefully more forum members will be encouraged to come forward Jay1
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Okay, here we go…
I’m up to the challenge @Jay1 !!
I have a secret fantasy of launching my first songs, which are very basic in nature, but enlightening to me in my musical journey and inspired by two of my HEROS.
The first is our Trusty Harp Master @Luke, who has taught me to test my limits and made learning the harmonica fun.
The second is Lisa Witt, who is the PIANO VERSION OF @Luke, and has also made learning the piano enjoyable, rather than tedious.
Together, the three of us, along with whoever else we can grab along the way, will be the opening act of an idea called BELIEVE, which I am writing about now in my latest book called FOOTPRINTS, where fact meets fiction in the future.
It will be my way of thanking my two MASTERS IN MUSIC who have enabled me to BELIEVE in my ability to play music,
It could happen 
I would definitely need to learn how to play with others.
For now, I have basically been playing with myself, but I don’t think I’m alone. 
All of us who play with ourselves, usually are… 
Do you BELIEVE? 
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@HarpinBobbyMcB I believe you can do almost anything if you really want to if deep down you believe you can. I was playing quietly on my own when a guy came up and asked if I’d like to play when they needed harmonica at his recording studio. I believed I could be good enough and I’ve now been doing that as a session player whenever I can for several years. A chance encounter of the musical kind. 
Jay1
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@Jay1, as far as I know, there are no limits on possibility!
I never thought that I would be able to listen to a song and then replicate it on a musical instrument. Thanks to a little help from my friends @Luke and Lisa Witt, now I can 
As I go through my routine of simple songs daily, which I have written primarily to practice my scales, I imagine how things might be as I play them with PASSION and share them with the world… 
Who of has not dreamed of being the lead singer in our favorite band as we belt out their latest hit in the shower? 
When it comes to dreams, not even the sky is the limit 
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@HarpinBobbyMcB With that attitude you’ll probably make it to the top and I really hope your dreams become reality. I’ve never dreamed of being a lead singer and I don’t sing in the shower out of kindness to my wife who may be within earshot plus a dislike for the taste of shower gel 
Jay1
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I’m only in it as a play for my own amusement as a hobby, I’m not paricually talented musically (i’ve been trying wth guitar for decades at this point) so I’m quite relaxed about not being particually good or how much progress I make, however, despite my limitations, I really enjoy making music and the enjoyment is the only driver.
In terms of my harmonica playing, I’d like to get to the point where I feel “I can play” which I guess means getting my bending to be passable, being able to jump between chords and melody, play as fast and accuratly as I can.
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That’s cool , hope you guys had a blast!!
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Personally I would just like to meet a bunch of hard working good like minded musicians who want to play the Blues. I just want to play my music get my songs out there. That’s all really
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I just want to add in one more thing I’ll never tire of saying because I’ve seen it over and over again:
Playing live will accelerate your growth on the instrument in a way that nothing else can. 10m playing in front of people is worth 10 hours alone in the practice room.
Many times I’ve talked about that even falling on your face (metaphorically) playing in front of people is gold. I had to eat these words at SPAH. I played Stormy Monday at the Hohner open mic, the monitors weren’t working so my reeds were choking up from me playing too hard, the band didn’t really seem to know the chord changes. It felt…pretty terrible.
I got off stage and my own words were ringing in my ears. Sometimes eating a big fat Humble Pie is the best thing for us, lol. We grow from these experiences.
Rock on! 
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I jammed with a band on Sunday doing the sky is crying, the band lost timing and the bass player was in the wrong key at the start and we had some nasty feedback , I got them to turn it around, luckily I know the Lyrics to several versions of this song So I was able to cobble something together. And in the end it went well, but yes I agree playing live through a mic is the best way to learn. Learning to fly by the seat of your pants, can brings out the best in a player and so what if you mess it up. Most of the audience haven’t got a clue you messed up anyway? Although I do admire your courage playing in front of an audience of harp players because unfortunately they would know if you messed up
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I’ll turn 80 in a few weeks so playing in a band is out of the question.
I just like to be able to sit down on a bench by the lake or my own back porch and make a pleasant sound. Or play a nice version of happy birthday to surprise my friends.
Making a joyful noise with some of the older hymns or gospels. None of the new 7/11 hymns.
Cheers
Auld Willy
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Well, @AuldWilly, I don’t think that is something that is carved in stone. It really is simply a matter of finding the right people to play with, and much less a matter of age.
Your current goal(s) are something to be proud about and they are definitely rewarding as well.
Happy harping!
Regards,
– Slim
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Just do what makes you happy!
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You can certainly still play in a band, just go easy on the groupies
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@AuldWilly @chris3 @Slim There’s a group of more mature players who sometimes record at the studio the most ‘mature’ of them is 96 and the ‘youngster’ is 79. They are great fun. The do private recordings of traditional jazz to send as presents to their friends, relatives etc. If they want to add harmonica it’s ‘if you can, get that gob iron boy to come over’ Long time since I was called ‘boy’ Jay1
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I have always played music for two reasons: first, the intense private enjoyment of learning music, and then to be able to share with others how to follow that same path, so that they can experience the same pleasure. It’s just an experience that is unique to learning instruments. My philosophy on this is probably similar to Glen Gould, who was known for focusing on studio work rather than performances.
The other thing I love is building a network of people with similar passion for it. We are a community onto ourselves. Yes, there are pros and cons of musician culture, but damn it, it is our culture. And it nourishes and sustains a mentality that keeps the art alive!
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